For people of the U.K., this is their Great Smokey Mountain National Park, and it is a must-do for anyone visiting Wales. Although not as large as the Smokies, the similarity here is the park’s popularity, its emphasis on human occupation and of course, its magnificent landscape.

The highest and most rugged peaks in Great Britain are located here, thus the reason Sir Edmund Hillary and his team trained here before their ascent of Mt. Everest in 1953.

Narrow gauge railroads and funiculars take passengers to the heights of some of these mountains, if you choose not to climb them yourself. While in the park, go white water rafting or canoeing; explore old copper mines and ancient forts; visit a working woolen mill or settle in for a Celtic music concert. You can’t come to Wales without spending a couple of days in Snowdonia.